THE British Birds of late call'd over,
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A Grand Fowl bred up at H-----r,
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Exalted him to great Renown,
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Deck'd with a rich Imperial Crown;
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He swore he would maintain their Cause,
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Religion, Liberties and Laws.
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This Eagle then he did create
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Rob Raven Minister of State.
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Full twenty Years Rob rul'd the Roast,
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Enhanc'd, dispos'd each gainful Post.
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Misled the Council of the Nation,
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Invented many a new Taxation,
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Advanc'd, degraded at his Pleasure,
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Plunder'd the publick Stock and Treasure.
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Corrupting ministerial Tools,
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Made Havock of the Nation's Spoils.
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His blund'ring Treaties did advance
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The Pow'r and Trade of Rival France.
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Our Pow'r, Wealth, Trade did quite decay,
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To Spanish Vultures made a Prey.
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No more the French Cock stood in Aw,
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O'er the Young Eagle he did craw.
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Her Int'rest Rob did quite betray
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To many rav'ning Birds of Prey,
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Who pluck'd her Wings, and held her down,
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Despoil'd of her Imperial Crown.
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True British Birds did long lament,
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Made many a heavy loud Complaint;
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Our Nation brought to great disgrace.
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At last Rob yielded up his Place.
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Of all our Product, Trade, and Toil,
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This Raven wears the golden Spoil;
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He's black and fat, immensely rich,
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And still the Eagle doth bewitch;
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Tho' he be rav'nous, most unclean,
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He lurks and rules behind the Screen.
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